Making more room at the inn…

There’s a lot of noise at Christmas, both jolly and reflective. A time to stop, take stock, unwind and enjoy the things in life we count as blessings.

We’re not big on shouting about what we’re up to, nor particularly seeking the lime light (get it); our heads are nearly always down but, if not at Christmas, Santa’s birthday, when? So here goes…

In the studio, it’s been a grand old year, without a doubt. Our own website got a fresh lick of paint, (whoop), providing a peephole into our world and showcasing some cracking projects we’ve been fortunate enough to be involved in. A few notables…

Ramsey and Bale, celebrating the site going live

Probably no project caused more of a buzz than the Football Association Wales website, going live just before the team kicked off on an unforgettable Euro campaign (that Belgium game huh?) In other sports/branding news, we helped Lios Bikes – who make incredible, beautiful, fast, carbon bikes – notably the Nano which made a successful debut this year. Just as speedy on two wheels was Team GB Olympic cyclist Emma Pooley who did a sterling job in Rio, helped in no small part by the website we built for her – probably. Richard Parks too, got a Guinness World record for something (we lose track with him), and our partnership with the Cardiff Devils is happy n’ healthy, moving into its seventh year. They end this year sitting pretty in a new ice rink and perched at the top of the Elite League. Can’t ask for more.

In transport, we’ve just helped reposition long-time chums Traveline Cymru as the public transport information people, reinvigorating their brand with renewed clarity and making them more accessible in delivering their already impressive 5m+ pieces of information they supply each year. We’ve also been working with two of the transport and global travel tech sector leaders, but more on that another time.

These things happened

In food and drink news, TripAdvisor’s top-rated take-out Gateway of India in lovely Rhwibina got their first rebrand in 20 years. You should try their food, it’s incredible. You’ll hear more about them next year and not just from us. We’ll also be squawking a new range of cask beers hot off the line from Gower Brewery. The guys at Bar 44 announced perhaps the tastiest thing that has happened to Cardiff city centre in years, expanding their delicious Empire. We won’t say too much but Asador 44 is a name to note for next year. We’ll leave it at that.

But, if you’ve passed the studio recently and peered through the cloud of dust, you’ll have noted the biggest news for us this year — drastic changes making #moreroomattheinn (finally, an explanation for our nativity fresco). The builders recently moved into the garage adjoining our coach house, swinging hammers with gleeful abandon to knock through and completely remodel our expanding LGTHQ. It’s on course to be completed early in the new year when we’ll finally have the space we need to breath and grow. It’s going to be special, make sure you drop by for a goosey gander when it’s finished.

A glimpse into the future (inaccurate artistic impression). And Max, the dog

Finally, the builders weren’t the only ones to move in. Meet Max, the new studio dog. He’s a teeny tiny Maltese and Head of Customer Relations.

So there was 2016—certainly a Rogue One. Here’s to a year ahead, new opportunities, resolve and always seeing the Light Side. Thank you, genuinely, to everyone who was a part of our 2016. Awesome you have been.

We’ll be closed from Thursday 22nd December and back in on Tuesday 3rd January 2017. So what are you still doing reading this 2016? There’s a new Star Wars film out, if you’ll excuse us…